The Star Wars Battlefront 2 Beta was hugely fun and most people had a great time with it, but the one big issue that came out of was the Pay-To-Win concerns players had regarding the Loot Crates, which seemed to be the only way players could earn upgrades and even weapons. Given that they could be purchasable with real money, it would give anyone spending cash on these randomized crates a significant advantage. Today EA have finally commented on the issue. More details below.
Star Wars Battlefront 2 Hands-On Impressions!</b>
Everything we loved and hated about Star Wars Battlefront 2!</b>
The comments can be found on the EA blog right here. They thank players for their feedback, and remind everyone that these systems are not final and will be "tuned over time", before addressing the concerns regarding Loot Crates. Here's their list of the things they clarify, with our comments:
"There are many things you can earn in the game, including weapons, attachments, credits, Star Cards, Emotes, Outfits and Victory Poses."
In the Beta it seemed like everything was earned through these Crates rather than in-game, so this is certainly good news - although the question is, how are they earned?
"As a balance goal, we’re working towards having the most powerful items in the game only earnable via in-game achievements."
So, not through Crates at all. Although, it does totally depend on how difficult these items are to get and what level of power the items still in the Crates can go up to. This could be a pain anyway for new players, especially if everyone who's been playing the game for a week has this Epic Gear that slaughters newbies. That's a side issue, though.
"Crates will include a mix of of Star Cards, Outfits, Emotes or Victory Poses."
It doesn't mention weapons or attachments. Are they being cut out of Crates or was that just a Beta thing? A little better, although it's the Star Cards that are the worry - since they're Upgrades basically.
"Players earn crates by completing challenges and other gameplay milestones, or by purchasing them with in-game credits or Crystals, our premium currency."
At least they're honest about this pretty dishonest tactic. Yes, you can buy Crates with real money. In-game credits, in the Beta, were slow to earn as they were given at a set rate every match.
"And lastly, you have to earn the right to be able to upgrade Star Cards and unlock most Weapons. You can only upgrade or unlock them if you have reached a high enough rank, which is determined by playing the game."
This is a big one. Most assumed that you could buy loads of Loot Crates and instantly have a better character to take into the game, but if you have to Rank Up by playing Battlefront 2 first, well, that changes things a little. You can't just take the quick and easy route and be instantly better, you have to get good at the game first. This is good news, and certainly at least slows down the Pay-To-Win angle... even if it doesn't remove the concern entirely, as powerful Star Card upgrades will still be in the Loot Crates.
Other areas that EA promise they'll be changing include making Flametroopers more powerful, nerfing Infiltrators, and looking into ways to improve the Squad mechanic - which we both Loved and Hated!
It's the Loot Crates, and the possibility of a Pay-To-Win scenario, that has people most concerned about Star Wars Battlefront 2 however. Hopefully EA will sort this out, but let's face it - if there's no Season Pass than EA have to replace it with something. It's not enough to pay for a game and have that be the whole thing anymore, nowadays you have to keep paying for it.
Star Wars: Battlefront 2 is out on November 17, and we'll have more on the game between now and then, guaranteed. We're still going to be playing it day one folks, c'mon.
